Shifting device



Marc-1131, 194?.l J', BLACKBURN n 4 2,277,675

' siI'FTING DEVICEl EiledNov. 13. 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mardi r3l, 1942 J. BLACKBURN SHIFTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 1s, 19.39 5 sheets-snaai;

March 31, '19424 J. BLACKBURN SHIFTING DEVICE Filed Nov. 13, 1939- 5 sheets-sheet s ATTORNEY.

l March 31, 1942. J, BLACK-BURN vSHIFTING VDEVICE y Fiied Nov. '13, 1959 SHIFTING DEVICE 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Nov. 13, 19359v Patented Mar. 3l, 1942 uNiTsn sTaTEsv PATENT l ori-loe 2,277,675 SHIFTING. DEVICE" Jasper Blackburn, Webster Groves, Mc. yApeneatien November 13, 1939, serial No. 204,038! 12 crains. gol. laag-3.5)

. This invention is an improvement upon my United. States Patent #1,709,557, April 16, 1929, and relates to gear shift devices and'gear shifting mechanisms for installation upon and use in connection with automotivev'ehicles as drivenv by internal combustion engines. The invention however might be applied toany situation, or to any speed gear assembly `requiring or providing for changing from one speed to another in the operation of the machine with `which it is associated.

The chief object of the invention is to provide semi-automatic gear shifting mechanism for mounting over or upon conventional forms of speed transmission units as assembled in automotive vehicles, and whereby as the vehicle is ,l

. required speed to the vehicle.

or shifting from one speed to another in thevoperation of the vehicle, and means adapted to connect with said shifter plates for selecting the l requisite plate and loperating same to impart the -Still another object of the invention is to provide in combination with or for installation upon the conventional -speed transmission kgear assembly of. a vari-speed motor vehicle, a semi-automatic .gear shift unit, comprising elements for engaging and controlling the several shift gears of the ygear assembly, elements for attachment to the ,clutch lever assembly, elements operatively connecting the two last named elements for manipulating the former through the latter,- and elements extended to the hand of the operator for resetting the said gear controlling elements.

With the foregoing and such otherobjects and advantages in view-'as may appear from the specification, attentionis now directed tothe accom-l panying .drawings wherein is exemplified apreferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:r

Fig. 1 is a `vertical longitudinal section of a sliding gear transmission showing the engine fly- Wheel and clutch and the shiftingdevice medially disposed on top of the gear housing, the gears with the left hand end f the plete extended laterally outward in alignment with'the clutch lever assembly and steering mechanism of the Vehicle, shifter bars slidably mounted side by side at the underside of the inner or right hand end of the plate over the transmission gear assembly of they vehicle, the said bars being arranged to slide back and forth in parallel paths over, and in parallel relation to, the shafts carrying the several speedgears of the transmission unit, rollers mounted on the upper sides of the shifter bars at each' end of each bar, and extended up through elongate slots formed in the base plate for the purpose, shifter forks extended from the said shifter,

ing 4saine-as required in the process of changing being in neutral position. l

. Fig. 2 is a top-plan view of such of the elements of the invention as` are disposed upon the `upper side ofthe base plate, said elements beingso disposed through shifting the transmission gear unit intoneutral. v

. Fig.. 3 is a plan vView of the elements of the invention as disposed' at the underside 0f the'base plate, same being so disposed through shifting the. gear unit into neutral, the base plate itself,

. Fig. 6 is a similar'view of the second speed ele ment or plate.

Fig.- 7 is a Similar View of the high er third speedV element or plate.

` Fig. y3 isa diagrammatic View of the shifting elements as positioned and operated for shifting the gears of the transmission into reverse.

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the yshifting f elements as positioned and operated for'selecting first speed. Y v

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the shifting elements las positioned when operated for shifting into second speed. 1

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing the shifting elements as positioned when operated for shifting into high or third speed.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the escapement and pawl plates and cam for releasing the same.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the resetting lever as disposed along the back left hand margin of the basev plate.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail of the oscillating cam block.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail of the selector arm, a medial section being broken Aout.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the connections between the clutch operating mechanism, the shifting mechanism, the reset` ting rod as disposed along the steering column and the attachment to the carirer bar. i

Fig. 17 is a reduced cross-section on the line I1-I1 of Figure 16,

Fig. 18 is an enlarged cross-section on the line I8-I8 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a sectional detail of the sleeveand nger assembly for the lower end kof the resetting rod.

The invention is designed for application to and use upon any conventional form of speed gear transmission assembly,Y here represented generally at 5, as commonly used 4on an automotive vehicle of the internal combustion or gas engine type, and which'usually includes a gear case 6, attached y-wheel housing 1 with flywheel 8 and clutch 9 mounted therein upon a drive shaft I3 to which the clutch is splined at II for releasable engagement with the flywheel.

The clutch mechanism is thus of conventional form and is normally held engaged by the spring A4, (see Figure 1) but may be retracted upon the shaft I 0, and thus disengaged by conventional connections with the clutch lever unit A of the car, whereby as this lever is depressed the clutch 9 is retracted. These connections are conventional and hence not here shown as this invention does not involve same.

The drive shaft I6 extends into the case 6, and has rigidly mounted on its rear end a drive gear I2. This gear meshes with the'gear I3 on a counter shaft I4 journaled in the case or housing 6. The shaft I4 also carries the first and second speed gears I and I6. I

The driven shaft I1 has its forward end journaled in the end of the shaft Ill, while the rear end is journaled through the rear of the casing 6 and is adapted for the reception` of a universal joint (not shown.) The shaft I1 is splined as at I8 and shift gears 9 and 2l! are slidably mounted thereon. The gear I9 has a collar 2I extended forwardly thereof, the same being provided with internal gear teeth. These teeth are of conventional formation as used in standardtransmissions, and hence are not hereshown. The internal gear teeth of the collar 2| are designed to engage with the spur teeth of the gear I2, for high speed, when the forward gear I9 is shifted forwardly for thatV purpose. The gear I9 also carries at its rear side a grooved shift collar 22 for engaging a shifter fork later to be described. The other gear 2D has a similar grooved collar 23 at its forward side, for a similar purpose.

Journaled also within the casing 6 is another counter-shaft 24 carrying the two reversing gears 25 and 26, the forward gear 25 being constantly in mesh with the gearY I5, and the rearward gear 26 running free. With the engine drive shaft I0 revolving clock-wise (relative to the driver looking forwardly), and assuming that this results in the forward travel of the vehicle, the gears 25 and 2B of the counter-shaft 24 will revolve in the same direction because of the gears I'3 and 25 being constantly in mesh with the gears I2 and I5 respectively. Thus, when the shift gear 26 is moved rearwardly into mesh with the gear 25, the driven shaft I1 will revolve anti-clockwise and the vehicle will move backward. When the gear 26 is moved forwardly into mesh with the gear I5, the shaft I1 will revolve clockwise and the vehicle will move forwardly in first speed. With the gear 20 moved -rearward again, and turning freely between the gears I5 and 25, and the shift gear I9 being then moved also rearward into mesh with the gear I6, the vehicle will move forwardly in second speed. By then moving the gear I9 forwardly, the internal gear teeth of the collar 2| mesh with the gear I2 of the engine drive shaft IIJ and the vehicle moves forwardly in high speed.

When the transmission gears are relatively positioned as shown in Figure l, the gears are in their neutral position, since the gears I9 and 20 are not in mesh with other gears.

In practising my invention, the top plate or cover of the conventional gear housing or casing 6 is removed, and a plate 3!) is substituted therefor, this plate being herein styled and referred to as a base plate. As here shown this plate is oblong and is positioned with its right end secured upon the casing and with its left hand end extended laterally of the casing and in operative alignment with the clutch lever mechanism A and the steering post and mechanism B ofthe vehicle, as extended up through the floor C supported on the car frame D. Of course in an automobile having its steering wheel and mechanism on the right hand side, the arrangement of the base plate and attached elements would be reversed.

At the under side of'the inner or right-hand end of the base plate 30, are mounted side by side, a pair of shifter bars 3 I' and 32 slidably supported between outer guide strips 33 and an inner guide plate 34, all secured by screws 35 to the under side of the plate. The arrangement is such that the bars 3| and 32 are adapted to slide or reciprocate over the gear assembly 5 in parallelism with the gear shafts I0, I4, I1 and 24.

In the shifting operations later referred to, the bars 3I and 32 control the gear combinations of theseveral speeds and these bars are releasably held to any set position for a given gear combination, by means of a conventional interlock combination 33, mounted at the under sides of the inner guide plate 34 and of the bars 3I and 32. Shifter forks 31 and 38 engage the shift collars 22 and 23 respectively, and are rigidly joined by their shank portions 39 to the shifter bars 3l and 32. Rearward or forward movement of the inner orright hand bar 3| and fork 3B reverses the vehicle or imparts first speed forward, respectively, while similar movement of the left hand bar 32 and fork 31 imparts second and third speeds forward, the gears meshing as above described.

The shifter bars 3l and 32 each have spaced rollers at theirupper sides, the rollers of the bar 3| being shown at 43 and 4I, and those of the bar 32 at 42 and 43. These rollers are rotatably mounted over studs 44 seated in the bars. The rollers mounted as described, pass up through elongated slots l30a formed in the base plate 30'-, and which slots extend parallel with the bars 3l and 32, and thus-permit the rollers to move back and forth therein, in the operation of the device.

Two pairs of superposed, elongated and apertured shifterplates 46-41 and `48-49, are slidably mounted, one pair in advance of the other, at the upper side of the plate 30,'transversely over the shifter bars 3| and 32. These plates are held slidably in position between guide strips 5U secured by screws 58a to the upper'side of the plate 3B.

The forwardly positioned pair of plates 45-41 constitute respectively the reversing and first speed plates, with the reversing plate 'it positioned underneath the first speed plate 4l.- The rearwardly positionedpair of plates 48-49 constitute respectively the second and third speed plates, the former being positioned over the latter. All of these plates are formed with spaced angular openings at their ends for engaging `the rollers 40-4! and 42-43 of the shifter bars 3l- 32, for properly operating those shifter bars and the connected gears in manner now to be described.

The angular openings or apertures of the lower, forward, or reversing plate 45, are shown at 45o-11%, and those of the upper, lforward, or first speed plate 4l are shown at 4ta-41h., The openings of the upper, rearward, or second speed plate 48 are shown at 48u-43h, and those of the lower, rearward, or third speed plate, are shown at @9a-49h.

The angular openings 4ta, 47a, Lilia, 49a of the two pairs of shifter plates are all Y shaped and in the assembly are diagonally disposed as to the pairs, upon the base plate 36, while the remaining openings 45h, 41h, 48h, 49h, of the plates, are

of the form of right angled triangles with their.

diagonal margins oppositely turned, as shown in Figure '2. In other words the diagonal margin of the opening 48h of plate 43 extends rearwardly from left to right, so that as the plate moves to the left this margin will impinge the roller 40, moving it and the bar 3l rearwardly and causing the shift gear to mesh with the reversing gear 25. The diagonal margin of the opening 4l?) of plate 4'! extends reversely forwardly, and so that as this plate moves to the left the roller 55, vbar 3l and gear 25 will be mover forwardly, throwing gear 2i! into mesh with 'the first speed gear l5. The diagonal margin of the opening 48h of plate 43 extends rearwardly from left to right, so that as thisplate slides to the left, this margin will impinge the roller 43, moving it and the bar 32 rearwardly-and causing the shift gear I9 to mesh with the second speed gear l5. The diagonal margin of the opening 49D of plate 49 extends reversely forwardly, and so that as this plate moves to the left, the roller 43, bar 32, gear I5 and gear collar 2| will all be moved forwardly, throwing the gear collar 2l over the direct drive gear l2 and the internal teeth thereof into mesh therewith, for third speed forward.

As shown in Figure 2, when the four shifter plates are all drawn toward the right, or inwardly (relative to the vehicle on which the device is mounted), the arrangement is such that the several angular openings through the plates all present aligned, rectilinear margins at their outer or left hand ends, which margins abut the several rollers 4B, 4l, 42, 43. Also, with the transmission gears IS and 20 in their neutral position, as in Figure 1, the rollers will stand medially positioned at said margins, as in Figure 2, in direct'alignmjent with thecentral slots of the Y shaped openings Tof Vthe plates and so as to pass thereinto as the plates are moved trans'- versely over to the left. Tljiusitwill be seen that each pair of vvthe shifter plates have both Y` shaped or neutral openings o'r slots and right'- angled or gear-mesh openings therein, located respectively over the two-shifter bars `3| and 32. By this arrangement, should any of the trans- `mission'gears be in mesh at themoment of shiftingfrom oney speed to another, the centrally inclined margins of the neutral Yshape'd opening of the same plate being operated forfma-kingthe gear shift on one of the shifter bars, will simultaneously operate the roller (4| or 42) of the other shifter b'ar, and will move that -bar and the meshing gear thereon, into neutral position, so that there can be no possible clash or interference in the shifting.; This operation is facilitated from the fact that the angular margins of the neutral, Y' shaped 'openings of .the plates, leading to the central stems of the openings are somewhat shorter and steeper than the diagonal margins of the right-angled gear-mesh openings, causing the former to work a little in advance ofv the latter.

The several shifter plates are formed or provided at their left 'ends with necks 46c, 4'lc, 48e', e, formed with latch-notches 45d, 4'ld, 48d, 49d. The'necks and latch-notches are so arranged and formed that vthe necks extend in a suitably spaced relation, and the notches all face centrally' in a common transverse plane extended perpendicularly to the base plate 3l), the notchy es ltd-49d being turned inwardly toward one another in alignment and in parallel relation to the plate 3U, and the 'notches 4'l'd-48d being turned downward perpendicularly towards said plate 3U. The purpose' o'f this arrangement will later appear.

Front and rear guide loops 5i, 52 are anchored at 53 to the upper sidey of the base plate 30 in spaced relation to the left 'ends and necks ofthe assembled shifter plates, and a selector arm carrier bar 54 `is slidably mounted through these loops. A saddle plate55 is anchored at 56 medially atop the bar 54, and has an undercut guide channel or groove 55a formed transversely through its upper face. A shifter plate selector arm 51 is slidably mounted in this groove, the same being feathered along its lower margins as shown at 57a for engaging the undercuts of the channel or groove 55a, and whereby the arm 51 is held in place upon the saddle plate 55. Thus the plate 55 is adapted for movement in parallel spaced relation to the. necks of the shifter plates, and the selector arm 5'! is adapted to slide to or from these pklates in parallelism with the lines of movement of the plates. The right hand end of the arm 51 is provided'with a head 58 (see Figure l5) formed with radially extended lobes 58a, 58D, 58C, the lobes 58a, 58e extendinglaterally and being adapted for engagement with the notches 46d and 49d of the lower plates 46 and 49, and the lobe 58h extending centrally `upward and being adapted for separate engagement Vwith the notches 47d and 48d ofthe upper plates 4l and In addition to the plate engaging lobes of the head 58, ja guide lug 58d depends at the under` side of this head into a lug-slot 3012 formed in the plate 3U between the necks of the plates. Leftward from this slot extend four spaced and parallel guide grooves 30e. The spacing of these grooves is equal to the extent of travel ofthe head 58 in selecting and operating the'shifter plates in sequence, and these grooves engage .the lug58d and 'guide the head 58 in its reciprocating movements to and from the shifter plate assembly, in the operation of the plates in sequence. Thus by sliding the arm 51 toward these shifter plates, and the head 58 into the central space between the necks thereof and then moving the saddle yplate 55 and arm 51 forwardly or backwardly, as may be required, one of the lobes of the head 58 may enter either of the notches 46d, 41d, 48d, 49d, after which by sliding the arm 51 reversely to the left, the selected shifter plate may be drawn out to the left, thus operating the shifter gears as desired and as already explained. The left hand end of the arm 51 is formed with a down turned lip 59.

A rectangular selector arm draw plate 68 is slidably mounted between guide strips 6| secured by rivets or screws 62 medially to the left end of the base plate 30, at the upper side thereof, the arrangement being such that the plate 60 may slide back and forth in parallelism with the line of movement of the selector arm 51. A groove 60a is formed along the right hand margin of the plate 6U adapted to slidably engage the lip 59 of the arm 51, and wherein the lip is so located. After the desired shifter plate is selected, in manner described, by the three-lobed head 58, the left-ward movement of the plate 60 will draw such shifter plate outward into operative position as to the shift gears, as described. A shallow, rectangular recess 6017 is formed in the under side of the plate 60, opening out through the inner right hand margin thereof, and a flat, ovate cam '63 having an outwardly extended nose 63a, is

pivoted at v631) within this recess, the cam being spring-set as shown at 63C to normally hold the nose 63a turned straightly inward toward the right hand, the spring 63e however permitting the nose to be deflected forwardly, in the operation of the device. This forward deflection of the nose 63C is caused by the rounded shoulder 63d of the cam impinging a beveled plate 64 secured by screws 64a to the plate 39. The purpose of this arrangement will appear later.

An elongated slot 30d is cut medially through the plate 30 immediately under the carrier bar 54 and an oblong escapement plate 65 is secured by screws 66 to the under side of the bar 54 and adapted to reciprocate lengthwise through the slot 30d as the bar 54 moves back and forth through the loops l 52.

Sets of forwardly sloped or beveled escapement ratches or teeth 65a, 65h are formed in spaced and stepped relation along the lateral margins of the plate 65. There are three of the teeth 65a on the left margin, referred as interceptor teeth, and two teeth 65b on the right margin, referred to as plate selector teeth, there being one such selector tooth each for the first and second speed shifter plates and for controlling same, as will be later described.

A shallow, elongated housing 61, open at one side, is mounted at its open side transversely over the plate 65 by screws 68 passed through its margins into the plate 30.

A flat, elongated pawl plate 69 is freely seated in the housing 61, this plate being shorter than the housing and thus adapted to slide back and forth endwise therein. A pair of spaced pawl teeth 69a' 69h' are raised from one side of the plate at each end thereof, in transverse alignment with each other. These pawl teeth play within slots 30e extended laterally from the slot 30d, and the teeth are beveled off inwardly toward each other. This plate is mounted in its housing in such manner that the straight sides or margins of the teeth are turned forwardly at either side of the escapement teeth a, 65h, and in opposition to the rearwardly turned straight margins of the same. Thus a perfect interlocking action is provided for the two sets of teeth, whereby the straight sides or points of the pawl teeth of the plate 69 may sharply engage the straight sides of the ratchet .teeth of the escapement plate 65 to releasably lock same against` movement. The space between the points of the teeth 69a, 69h of the pawl plate 69 is slightly greater than the `width of the escapement plate 65 inside the teeth thereof, but said space is slightly less than the outer imaginarystraight lines connecting and demarking the extremities of the escapement teeth 65a, 65h. By this arrangement and relation between the pawl teeth and the stepped escapement teeth of the plate 65, the latter may be moved rearwardly step by step or tooth by tooth lengthwise between the pawl teeth 69a, 69h, by oscillating the plate 69 lengthwise in its housing. A small stop or lug 69e is raised from the face of the left hand pawl tooth 69a in alignment with the nose 63a of the cam 63. An expansion coil spring 'l0 is mounted within the right hand end of the housing 61 and is braced between the end of the housing and the end of the pawl plate 69, this spring serving to urge the plate 69 outwardly or towards the left of the assembly. A coiled pull spring 1I is drawn and secured at its ends between a bracket 12 secured rearwardly at 13 to the under side of the plate 30 and a pin 14 seated in the forward end of the carrier bar 54, the pin traveling in a narrowed slot 30f extended longitudinally from the slot 30d. The action of the spring 1I is to tend to draw the bar 54 rearwardly, when it is free to so move. With the elements last described so assembled, and as the pawl plate 69 is oscillated from side to side lengthwise within its housing, with the spring 1l tending to draw the bar 54 rearwardly, the pawl teeth 69a, 69h will alternately engage one of the stepped ratchet teeth 65a, 65h of the escapement plate 65, and hold that plate as well as the carrier bar 54, draw plate 66, selector arm 51 and its attached shifter plate as selected, in set position, until the pawl plate is oscillated reversely in its housing and the escapement plate travels rearwardly again under the pull of the spring 1I, until the opposite pawl plate tooth engages with an opposite escapement plate tooth, and the assembly becomes set and'locked in a new position. The stepped disposition, arrangement and relative spacing of the ratchet teeth 65a, 65h, upon the escapement plate 65 is such that each successive rearward movement of that plate and attached carrier bar 54 from one tooth 65h to the next one, will move the selector arm 51 rearwardly just enough to bring one of the lobes of the selector head 58 into engagement with the next one of the shifter plates desired in the sequence of gear shifts. The oscillation of the pawl plate 69 and the resulting step by step, rearward movement of the escapement plate 65 is automatically caused by the reciprocation of the draw plate 60 as will be later described. No plate selector teeth are provided on the plate 65 for aligning the selector arm 51 and head 58 with the reverse and third speed shifter plates 46 and 49, for the reason that the loops 5I and 52 are so located on the base plate 30 as to stop the saddle plate at either end of its travel, with the arm 51 thus properly aligned Lwith saidplates, and as will be later explained.

A draw plate operating lever is pivotally mounted at the under side of the left hand end of the plate 38 upon a stud 16 seated near the forward margin of the plate. The lever 15 is formed with a head 15a through which the stud 16 is passed, an 'elongated body portion 15b extending rearwardly across the left margin of the plate 39 at the underside thereof, outer and inner legs 15o, 15d, and a nose 15e lextending laterally outward beyond the left end of the plate 30. The inner leg 15d is formed with an elongated opening or slot 15j extending substantially parallel with the axis of the body 15b, and anoth'er elongated slot or mouth 15g is formed inwardly or rearwardly of the nose 15e, and extends laterally substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the body portion and opens out through the left hand or outer margin 15h of the body 15b. This left hand margin of the body portion is straight and regular as shown, and thenose 15e projects outward beyond this margin as well as beyond the base plate 39.

An elongated slot 38g is cut medially through the left end of the plate under the draw plate 68 and transversely over the slot 15]e of the leg 15d of the lever 15. A stud or pin 11 is anchored at one end in the under side of the left margin of the draw plate 68, and is passed down through the slot 30g of plate 38 and medially through the slot 15j of the leg 15d of lever 15, and a flanged roller 18 is rotatably mounted on this stud inside the slot 151, the flange 18a. of the roller outwardly engaging the margins of the slot to maintain the lever in position.r

A clutch operated slide bar 19 is slidably mounted through lops 89, parted at their upper sides as shown at 88a and secured at 8l to the front and rear margins of the plate 38 and extended outward over the left end of that plate.

A stud 82 is anchored in the under side of the bar 19 inward of the nose 15e of the lever 15, and a roller 83 is rotatably mounted onv this stud, the said roller being dimensioned to pass within th'e slot 15g of said lever 15, in the operation of the device. When the slide bar 19 is projected outwardly or forwardly, the roller 83 engages the nose 15e of lever 15, projecting the legs 15c--15d outwardly to the left, the leg 15o overlapping the end of the plate. Simultaneously the outward swing of the leg 15d acts through the roller 18 to pull the draw plate 68 and the shifter plate selector arm 51 over towards the left hand end of the plate 39, drawing with it one of the shifter plates, the latter being selected in a manner to be described.` I

A pin 84 (see Figure 13) is seated in the rear margin of the plate 30, at the upper side and adjacent the left end thereof, and a base washer 85 of appreciable thickness is mounted thereover. A carrier bar resetting lever 88 having a medial aperture 81 is pivotally mounted over this pin, as passed through said aperture, and a coil compression spring 88 is seated over the upper end of this pin and braced between the lever and a washer 89 keyed to the extremity of the pin. The lever 86 is disposed angularly along the rearv margin of the plate 38 and the inner or righthand end 86a thereof is raised as shown at 86h above the horizontal plane of the outer or left hand end 89e and overlaps and extends laterally beyond the rear end of the said :carrier bar 54 and over a resetting pin 54a seated in the rear endof this bar.

AOwing, .to the resilient mounting of the lever 86 through the spring 88, the right end of the lever V83 may be either lowered so as to fall in rearwardly of the pin .58ct, for the purpose of forcing rthe bar 54 forwardly and resetting it, or Vthe right hand end of said lever may be elevated, by means to be .pointed out, for enabling this right handend of the lever to ride rabove the pin 54a for permitting vthe rearward movement ofv the bar 54, in the operation of the device. The outer or left hand end of the lever 86 extends out .over the yslide bar 19 and is disposed/freely between two pins 19a, 19h seated in a spaced relation upon they rear end of the bar 19, the said pinsbeing set far enough apart to permit a consi'derable longitudinal movement of the bar 19 leither forwardly or rearwardly before the apkthe block :9i Abeingslightly raised above the plate 3,0 and being counterbalanced to normally rock rearwardly upon its pivot pin. Thus this block may berrockediforwardly and rearwardly `upon its pivot pin 92 in the operation ofthe device.

An arcuate or bow-shaped wedge element or latch A93 is pivotally mounted at the right hand side .of the cam block 9|, by means of a screwv 94'passed medially through the latch into the base plate 3.0. This Vlatch includes forwardly and rearwardly disposed wedges 93a, 93h, arranged and positioned so that upon the oscillation .of this latch the wedges Iwill be forced a1- ternately under the forward or rear end of the block 9i, thus slightly elevate that end and lower the opposite end, as required in the operation of the device and as later explained. As positioned in the assembly, the element 93 is located on the plate 38 in alignment with and in suitable spaced relation to the left end of the third speed shifter plate 49, so that as said plate is drawn out to the left for throwing the'vehiole into third speed, therrear corner of the left orv advancing end of the plate will impinge the forward end of the. latch 93 and force the wedge 93a underneath the forward end or shoulder 9Ia of the block 9|, thereby bracing that shoulder t0 its raised position. A contact pin 93o is extended up vertically from the rear portion of the wedge latch 93.

A trip-linger 99 is anchored at 91 by its innerend to the rear, left hand corner of the rear and upper or second speed shifter plate 48, its outer end being extended rearwardly and bent down as indicated at 99a, and thus adapted to impinge' the pin'93c upon the left hand movement or extension of the second speed plate 48, and force the wedge 93h underneath the rear shoulder Sib of the block 9i, thereby raising the rear end of the block and lowering the forward end thereof, the wedge 93a being simultaneously withdrawn of course.

When the cam block 9i is rocked rearwardly through the oscillation of the wedge latch 93, the

right end of the carrier barr resettinglever 86, asv

it moves rearwardly, passes over the top of the resetting pin 54a and is pressed 'down back thereof by the spring 88, after which the reverse movement of the levez1 forces the pin 54a and carrier bar 54 forwardly into its reset position. Conversely when the block 9| is rocked forwardly, the end of the lever 80 is enabled to move forwardly up the gradient 9Ic defining the shoulders Sla and Sib, and onto the top of the pin 54a. The formation, arrangement and timing of the elements are such that the resetting of the bar 54 concurs with the movement of the end of the lever 88 upwardly over the gradient 9Ic onto the top of the pin 54a., whence it may move rearwardly again for repetition of the sequence of gear shifts. T enable the operation of the shifting mechanism through the clutch A, a bellcrank lever |00 ris pivoted at IOI to a bracket DI extended from the car frame D, below the gear assembly 5, rearwardly of the clutch A and in longitudinal and operative alignment therewith, one Aarmlla, of the lever being extended vertically towards the slide bar 19, and the other arm |0017 horizontally forward below the clutch pedal. Spaced ears |02 are extended from the slide bar 19, the same being slotted in transverse alignment as shown at I02a to slidably engage a pin |03 seated through the extremity of the arm I00a. A short link |04 vertically connects by means of pins |05, |06, the rearwardly extended reach AI of the conventional clutch lever unit A, with the forward end of the reach or arm |0011'. The rear end of the reach or arm AI is pivotally pinned at A2 to the car frame D. Downward pressure upon the pedal A3 forces the slide bar 19 forwardly and operates the gear shifting mechanism. A stop |01 is mounted on steering post B adjacent and somewhat below the clutch pedal A3, and depression of the pedal until the foot strikes this stop, serves to release the clutch friction cone 9 from the flywheel 8, without shifting the gears. The stop |01 is secured to the post B by a parted ring |010l and bolt |012). The spring A4 normally returns the clutch to position after each operation, in conventional manner.

An angle bracket |08 is secured by one leg |08a to the frame of the car forwardly of the steering post B, the other leg ISb being eX- tended vertically and having an eye |080 formed therethrough. This bracket is mounted forwardly of the steering post B, in substantial longitudinal alignment therewith .but slightly to the right thereof, and with the eye |08c in longitudinal alignment with a similar eye 54h provided at the forward extremity of the selector arm carrier bar 54. An operating rod IIO is passed through the eyes 54h, |080, the rear end of this rod passing through the eye 5412I being threaded and adjustment nuts I |0a being turned up at each side of the eye for adjustably securing this end of the rod. The forward end of the rod IIO vmay reciprocate freely through the eye I08c, in the operation of the device.

An angular bracket III is secured by one leg IIIa to the car frame back of the steering post B, the other leg IIIb being extended angularly forward of the steering post B, there being a circular aperture IIIc formed through its end in front of the steering post.

An upper bracket II2 is mounted near the upper end of the steering post B, same being a two part bracket hinged together at I I2a, having a circular aperture II2b for embracing the post and a smaller aperture I|2c forwardly of the post and aligned with the aperture lIllc of the bracket III. A bolt II3 passed through the rear ends of the parts of the bracket, serves to lock the bracket to the-post. A notch II2d is extended radially from the aperture II2c spaced angularly towards the right hand.

A resetting rod II4 is passed slidably down through the apertures I I Ic, I |2c and through the floor aperture C'I, the upper end thereof having a handle IIIa,` and a stop pin II4?) protruded laterally from the rod below the handle, this pin being formed and adapted to slidevertically through the notch I I2d. A sleeve I I5 is anchored by set screws I'I5a upon the lower end of the rod II4 below the operating rod IIO, and spaced fingers II5b are extended from the sleeve upwardly at either side of the rod IIO. Stops II6 upon the rod IIO, at either side of the fingers II5b lock the fingers against longitudinal movement on said rod, though permitting the rod to be rotated. Downward push upon the rod II4 operates through the connections II5, II5b, II6, upon the operating rod IIO, to force this rod and the connected carrier bar 54 forwardly, and

the arrangement is such that with the pin II4b pushed down into contact with the upper margin of the bracket II2, the carrier bar 54 will be in its advanced, low gear position. If the rod II4 be then rotated clockwise the pin may be pushed down through the notch I I2cl (see Figure 17) and the bar 54 advanced still further, into its reverse gear position. A collar |I1 is anchored upon the rod II4 above the bracket III, and a suitably strong coil spring IIB is compressed between the .bracket leg IIIb and the collar II1, the normal action of the spring being to force the resetting rod II4 upwardly as the carrier arm 54 moves `rearwardly in the operation of thefdevice, under the pull of the spring 1I. A pedal I I9 is mounted on the rod I I4 above the Vfloor C, by means of a parted bracket I|9a riveted to the pedal and secured by bolts |20 firmly to the rod,v the parts of the bracket being formed with semi-circular recesses I|9b for embracing the rod at either side. A coil spring I2I is stretched between a stud or plate |22 on the car frame and a pin |23 on the sleeve H5, the arrangement being such that the spring normally tends torotate the resetting rod II4 anticlockwise.

From the foregoing detailed description it is thought that thel construction, operation and use of the device will be fairly understood. However, a full review of the operation will now be given:

In Figures 2 and 3 the elements including the four shifter plates 46, 41, 48 and 49 (Figure 2) the draw plate operating lever 15, the slide bar 19, and all associated elements, including the escapement and pawl plates. 65 and 69., and releasing cam y63 (the parts 63, 55, 69 etc. being shown inlenlarged detail in Figure l2) are all shown in neutral position, ready for operation.

With the clutch fully engaged, the pin 82 of the bar'19 would normally be moved further rearward to a medial point on the left margin of the plate 30,Y under the action of the clutch spring A4, but according to Figures 2 and 3 the clutchpedal has been partially depressed, to the point where the pedal A3 is in lateral alignment' .withthe stop |01. It does not itself contact the stop Vas Vit isspac'ed laterally therefrom to avoid directvcontact, but the foot of the driver, moved' slightly asidev for the purpose, contacts j the '.stop. 'This partial depression of the pedal has released the clutch and has advanced the bar 19 and pin 82 and roller 83 thereon, up against the nose e of the operating lever 15, but that lever itself has not been actuated, nor have any of its associated elements or any of the shifter plates been moved from their neutral positions.

With the elements positioned as stated, in order now to back the car, the resetting rod II4 is rotated clockwise by its handle II4a until the pin II4b aligns with the notch II2d of the bracket I I2. A downward push upon the handle then forces the pin through the notch and pushes the bar 54 forwardly, carrying with it the saddle plate 55, selector arm 51 and head 58 with the guide lug 58d traveling forwardly in the slot 30D, This forward movement of the head 58 causes the lateral lobe 58a thereof to enter the lateral latch-notch 45d of the reverse shifter plate 46 just as the frontal margin of the saddle plate strikes the frontal loop 5I and aligns the lug 58d with the frontal guide groove C. `The .handle I I4a of the resetting rod I I4 is then turned anticlockwise, with the pin II4bl under the bracket II2, thus holding the bar 54 Ato its forward position, with the arm 51 ready to draw out the plate 46 to operate the gearset for reverse travel. The clutch lever A is thenff-ully depressed, projecting the slide bar 19 fully forwardly, causing pin 82 to force the nose 15e of the lever 15 also forwardly, thus swinging the legs 15a, 15d of this lever outwardly to the left, with leg 15e projecting beyond the left margin of the base plate 30. This outward movement of the slotted leg 15d of the lever draws out to the left the connected draw-plate 60, selector arm 51, and the engaged reverse shifter plate 45, with the lug 58d traveling in the aligned groove Sc. action is illustrated in Figure 8, where the plate 46 is shown as 4drawn out, and the rollers 40 and 4I of the shifter bar 3| are forced rearwardly, the roller 4I] playing through the gear mesh openings 4Gb, 41h of the two forwardly disposed and superposed reverse and first speed plates 46, 41, and the roller 4I through the neutral Y- shaped openings 48a, 49a. of the two rearwardly disposed and superposed second and third speed plates 48, 49.

It will be noted from Figure 8 that in moving out to the left as stated, the diagonally disposed margin of the gear mesh, opening 46h' of reversing plate 46, has crowded the roller (as also roller 4I) rearward, thus moving the rear shift gear 20 on shaft 3l rearwardly into mesh with the reversing gear 25, in position to cause the car to back. Since the other and forward shift gear I9 (for second and third speeds) is controlled by the outer, or left hand shifter bar 32, having one of its rollers (42) playing through the' Y-shaped neutral openings MiaJ 41a of the two forward superposed plates 4S, 41, it follows that as the plate '4t is drawn out to the left, with the described rearward movement of shifter bar 3i and reverse gear engagement, the Y- shaped neutral opening 46a of the same plate, Will move the bar 32 andshift-gear I9 to neutral position (if not already there) by virtue of the centrally extended portion or stem of this opening a. engaging the said roller and the latter entering thereinto. k

Inasmuch as the same inter-relation, co-operation and mode of operation obtains as between all the shifter plates, the shifter bars, shift gears and controlling rollers and connections thereof, it follows there can be no clashing of gears or combination, and this is proved by actual experience in the practice of the invention. The backing o'f the `car is then completed by releasing the clutch pedal and lever and allowing the clutch to reengage under the action of the clutch spring vA4, in conventional manner.

After the first full depression of the clutch lever, with the resulting operation and setting of the parts as described above for vreverse travel, and the lclutch pedal and lever are -released and the clutch allowed 'to reengage under the automatic action o f the clutch spring, as the clutch reseats, the slide-bar 19 is forced fully rearward again, so that the pin 82 Aand roller 83 move to their normal position, about 4mid-way of the left margin of the base plate -30. But in this rearward movement of the bar 19, the roller 83 Ifirst must contact and press rearward against the rear or inner short margin of the slot 15g of the operating lever 15, starting the legs 15e, 15d of this lever to swing again towards the right. The roller 83 then emerges from the slot 15g, and traveling down the outer straight margin of the leg 15o forces both legs completely inward towards the right. The leg 15d -through the described connections, carries with it the draw plate 50 with its cam '63 and the vshifter plate selector arm 51 with its attached reverse shifter plate 46, the latter being thus restored to its original position of alignment with the other plates. This right hand movement of the plate 46 however does not affect the established reverse ,gear engagement of the shift gear 2B, same being held against disengagement by the vconventional interlock unit 36.

When the desired rearward travel of the car is completed, the handle II4a of the resetting rod I I4 is rotated clock-wise again until the vpin I I4b is again aligned with the notch II2d of the bracket H2. The handle is then released, and the spring IIB forces the resetting rod upward, the pin II4b passing up through the notch II'Zd. This upward and-rearward movement of the resetting rod now permits the carrier bar A'54 to slide rearward under the pull of the spring 1I,

the guide-lug 58d of the head 58 of the selector arm-51 ltraveling in the slot 30h, until the rearmostcone of ythe plate selector teeth 65h (the lower one in Figure 12) yon the inner or right i margin of the escapement plate v(i5 impinges the right hand pawl or stop tooth 69h of-the'recipgear vinterference at any time or with vany gear 75 rocating pawl plate 69 which at this time is normally pushed over to the llef-t by the spring 10. This vpositioning of the parts is shown in Figure 12. The selector arm 51 is also simultaneously moved rearward with the carrier bar 54 to a position of operative alignment with the rst speed shifter plate 41, and the-elevated lobe 58h of the head 58 by this rearward movement of the arm 51 has entered the overhanging latch-notch 41d of this plate with the lug Y58d aligned with the second groove 30e. Theapparatus is now ready for first speed forward. First speed gear engagement is accomplished by a full depression of the clutch pedal and lever, which action draws out to the left the shifter plate 41, similarly asv the plate 46 was drawn out, with the lug 58d traveling inthe second aligned slot 30C. The leftward movement of the plate 41, through the forwardly inclined, diagonal rear margin of its gear mesh opening 41D, forces the roller 4I] (as also its associate roller 4I) forwardly and the vshift-gear 20 also forwardly into meshl with the first speed gear I5, and as indicated in Figure -9. There -has been no "shifting ofthe lshift gear YI9, but had there been this gear would be returned to neutral position in advance of the rst speed gear engagement through the quicker action of the steeper margins of the Y-Shaped neutral opening 41a, in manner before pointed out. The clutch pedal is now released and the clutch reengaged for rst speed forward.

On this second cycle of clutch operation and as the clutch reengages, all the elements, 19, 15, 60, 63, 51, 41, are returned again to their normal or original positions, similarly as in the operation of the plate 46. In this instance however, as the cam 63 moves to the right with the draw plate 60, immediately or an instant before the plate 41 is completely returned, the nose 63a of the cam 63 impinges the lug 69e of the pawl plate 69, with which it normally stands aligned as shown in Figure l2, kicking that plate to the right against the spring 1U and freeing the tooth 65h of the escapement plate 65 from the pawl tooth 69h and subjecting the plate 65 and bar 54 again to the rearward pull of the spring'll. Inasmuch as the lug 58d has now been returned to its home slot 39h, the said elements are subject to the pull of the spring 1|. Instantly after the nose 63a strikes the lug 69C with the stated result, the plate 41 is completely returned into alignment with the other shifter plates, and simultaneously the rounded shoulder 63d of the cam 63 glances against the bevel 64b of the plate 64, and the nose 63a of the cam 63 is kicked forwardly oif the lug 69o of the pawl 69. Simultaneously the opposite pawl tooth 69a moves to the right and engaged for an instant an advancing interceptor tooth 65a on the left margin of the escapement plate 65, limiting its further rearward movement until the spring 19 can again urge the pawl plate 69 over to the left. In the instant that the escapement tooth 65h is freed from the pawl tooth 69h, the spring 1I has pulled the escapement plate 65 and carrier bar 54 slightly rearward, enough to enable the tooth 65h to pass the pawl tooth 69h. The spring 10 then urges the plate 69 to the left, freeing the tooth 69a, and simultaneously moving the pawl tooth 69h to the left, in the path of the next advancing or forwardly located plate selector tooth 65h of the plate 65, for engaging that tooth and thus aligning the shifter plate selector arm 51 with the second speed shifter plate 48 and the lug 58d with the third guide groove 39C. Coincidently the rearward movement of the plate selector arm 51 and head 58 moves the elevated lobe 58h into the overhanging latch-notch 48d of said plate and which is now ready for operation for secondspeed gear engagement.

A full depression of the clutch pedal and lever draws out the plate 48 to the left, as in the operation of the plates 46 and 41, and as shown in Figure 10, and the rearwardly inclined diagonal margin of its gear mesh opening or slot 48b which is located over the shifter bar 32 controlling second and third speed gear engagements, forces the roller 43 (as also its associate roller 42) rearwardly and the connected shift gear I9 rearwardly into mesh with the second speed gear I6. Simultaneously the roller 4| connected with shifter bar 3| and engaged by the Y-shaped neutral slot 48a of the same plate, moves or retains the connected shift gear 20 rearwardly to neutral position. The clutch being then reengaged, the car moves forward in second speed. As the clutch reengages the slide bar 19 moves rearwardly again, and the same sequences of action follow in the elements 19, 15, 6D, 63, 51,

48, as in the previous operation of first speed plate 41, the plate 48 being returned to the others, the lug 58d to the groove 30h, and second speed gear engagement being maintained by the interlock unit 36. n

On the return movement of the second speed shifter plate 48, and as the lug 58d enters its home slot 39h, the nose 63a of the cam 63 strikes the lug 69e and glances olf after kicking the pawl plate 69 to the right and freeing the stop tooth 69h from the forward tooth 65h (the upper one in Figure l2), in the same manner as described above. When this action occurs the spring 1| again pulls the escapement plate 65 and carrier bar 54 and selector arm 51 rearwardly until the rear margin of the saddle plate 55 strikes the rear guide loop 52 and thereby aligns the arm 5l with third speed shifter plate 49. At the same time the lateral lobe 58C of the head 58 enters the lateral latch-notch 49d of the third speed shifter plate 49, and the guide lug 58d stands aligned with the fourth or rearmost guide groove 36e, the apparatus being now ready for third speed operation. Owing to the overhanging structure of the necks 415e, 48e of the plates 41, 48, through the under margins of which the latch-notches 41d, 48d are formed for direct alignment the elevated lobe 58h of the head 58 passes freely through the two, and when released from the notch 48d of the second speed plate 48, then passes directly into the final lateral notch 49d of the third speed plate 49, thus engaging that plate for third speed operation.

Third speed gear engagement is accomplished as before by a full depression of the clutch pedal and lever and subsequent release. This action draws out the third speed shifter plate 49 to the l left, as shown in Figure 11, and the forwardly inclined diagonal -margin of its gear mesh opening 49h over the shifter bar 32 controlling second and third speed gear engagements forces the r-oller 43 (as also its associate roller 42) forwardly, and the connected shift gear I9 forwardly and the internal gear teeth of its collar 2| into mesh over the rear extended end of the drive gear l2; Simultaneously the roller 4| connected with the shifter bar 3l and engaged by the Y-shaped neutral slot 49a of the same plate, moves or retains the connected shift gear 20 forwardly into neutral position. The clutch being then reengaged, the car moves forward in third speed. On each operation of the clutch, the carrier bar resetting lever 86 is oscillated between the spaced pins 19a, 19h of the slide bar 19. According to the drawing this oscillation of the lever 86 produces no effect when the reverse shifter plate 46 and the first speed shifter plate 41 are operated, but when the second speed shifter plate 48 is operated and drawn out to the left for second speed gear engagement, the extremity 96a of the trip finger 96 impinges the pin 93o of the latch 93, forcing the wedge 93h under the rear ledge or shoulder 9Ib of the cam block 9|, raising the rear end of the cam block and lowering the forward end. This elevates the right end of the lever 86 which now rides upon the lower rear ledge 9|?) of the cam block 9|, so that after the plate 48 is operated and the clutch is reengaged and the slide bar 19 moves rearward, and oscillates the right end of the lever 86 forward, this end is able to pass over the top of the resetting pin 54a, thus permitting the further rearward movement of the carrier bar 54 and selector arm 51 for operative alignment with the next or third speed shifter plate 49,for the subsequent operation thereof, as above described.

After the second speed plate 48 has been operated and returned, the right end of the lever 86 has thus been swung forwardly over the pin 54a and rests upon the higher ledge Sla of the cam block 9i. Now as the clutch is again operated and draws the third speed plate 49 out to the left, the left rear corner of this plate impinges the forward end of the latch 93, withdrawing the Wedge 93h and forcing the wedge 93a under the forward shoulder Sla of the cam block 9|, therebyvraising this shoulder and correspondingly lowering the rear ledge or shoulder 9 lb. Simultaneously with the forward movement of the slide bar 19, the right end of the resetting lever 86 which has been riding upon the forwardledge or shoulder Sla, is oscillated rearward over the top of the resetting pin 54a and falls by the pressure of the spring 88 rearwardly of that pin upon the now lowered end of the rear cam block shoulder Sib, to the position shown in Figure 14. Now as the clutch pedal and lever are released for the third speed gear engagement, and the slide bar 79 moves rearward, the right end of the resetting lever 86 is oscillated forward against the resetting pin 54a, and forces the carrier bar 54 forward again, to a position as shown in Figure l2, where the rearmost one of the teeth 65h of the escapement plate 65 is engaged by the tooth 69h of the pawl plate 69, thus again operatively aligning the selector arm l with the irst speed shifter plate 4l, and with the elevated lobe 58h of the head 58 engaged by the latch-notch 41d of that plate, ready for operation again of that platefand plates 48 and 49 in sequence and as described. Whatever the position of the gears may be, whether for first, second or third speed, the reverse shifter plate may always be engaged for operation by fully depressing the resetting rod H4 for projecting the carrier bar 54 fully forward again, as first described. Therefter the sequence of gear shifts will be automatically repeated. ,If at any time it is desired merely to release the clutch without changing gears, the clutch pedal is pushed down merely tothe point where the foot (moved aside for the purpose) strikes the stop 01, which frees the clutch cone without projecting the slide rod 19 far enough forwardly to operate any of the shifter plates. The resetting rod H4 may be operated also by means of the foot pedal H9.

While the device is here shown as applied to a specific conventional form of transmission unit,

it is evident that it may readily be adapted to other forms of gear asesmblies as might be desired, and while I have here shown and described a certain embodiment of the invention, andr certain structural features thereof, any desired changes or alterations may be made therein, within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a speed gear operating device of the kind described, a base plate for mounting over the gear unit, sets of superposed shifter plates slidably mounted side b-y side on one side of the base plate and arranged to reciprocate in parallel lines, the plates having necks extended at one end in offset and spread relation, the necks being notched inwardly in a spaced, transverse and arcuate alignment, a carrier bar reciprocably mounted on the base plate adjacent the necks of the shifter plates, for movement transversely of rocably mounted on the carrier bar to move in parallelism with the shifter plates, the selector arm having a head formed and adapted to successively and releasably engage the notched necks of the shifter plates for'individually selecting and operating same through the reciprocation of the selector arm, means for reciprocating the selector arm, and means for operating the carrier bar, including means for automatically moving the carrier bar and selector arm thereon the correct distance upon each reciprocation of the selector arm, to align the selector arm and head for engagement with the next following shifter plate.

2. In a shifting device for a motor vehicle having a sliding gear transmission unit providing for reverse travel and forward travel in first, second and third speeds, a clutch, a clutch lever mechanism and a steering mechanism on the vehicle, a base plate mounted over the transmission unit and extended laterally rearward of the clutch lever and steering mechanisms, pairs of at, elongate and superposed shifter plates, including a reverse travel plate and plates for first, second and third speeds forward, said pairs of plates being slidably mounted side by side on the outer side of the base plate to reciprocate in parallelism, necks extended laterally towards the side of the vehicle carrying the .clutch operating and steering mechanisms, the said necks being disposed in relative offset and spaced relation in transverse arcuate formation and being notched laterally through their adjacent centrally turned margins, means for selectively reciprocating the slide gears of the transmission unit by the reciprocation of the controlling shifter plates, a carrier bar slidably mounted through frontal and rear stop loops on the base plate in spaced relation to the necks of the shifter plates, for reciprocation transversely of the lines of movement of the shifter plates, the carrier bar being located rearwardly of the steering mechanism of the vehicle, means for normally drawing the carrier bar rearwardly, a shifter plate selector arm transversely and reciprocably mounted on the carrier bar for movement in parallelism with the lines lof movement of the shifter plates, a head on the selector arm formed and adapted to releasably-engage the notched necks of the shifter plates one'at a time, a step by step escapement mechanism including coacting elements on the base plate and carrier bar, whereby the carrier bar may be successively stopped on its rearward movement with the selector arm properly aligned for engaging the selected shifter plate for operating same, a selector arm draw-plate mounted on the base plate outwardly of the carrier bar and arranged to reciprocate in parallelism with the selector arm, the inner margin of the draw-plate being straightly grooved to slidably engage the outer hooked end of the selector arm, means on the draw plate for operating, on each reciprocation thereof, the escapement mechanism of the carrier bar for retracting that bar a step and aligning the selector arm for engaging the next shifter plate in sequence, means on the base plate rearwardly of the clutch lever mechanism of the vehicle, for reciprocating the draw plate, means connecting the last named means with the clutch lever mechanism of thevehicle for Operating the draw-plate by the clutch lever mechanism, means extended from the said carrier bar to the hand of the operator for drawing the carrier bar forwardly and resetting it, the frontal stop loop of the carrier bar serving to stop the selector arm properly aligned for engagement with the reverse travel shifter plate and the rear stop loop for aligning said arm'with the third speed shifter plate, and means co-operatively operated by the means for reciprocating the selector arm draw plate and by the reciprocation of some of the shifter plates for automatically resetting the carrier bar and selector arm to a forward position after full retraction rearwardly.

3. In a device of the kind described, for operating a set of slidably mounted shifter plates arranged for controlling the several gear shifts of the gearset of a motor vehicle having a conventional self-engaging clutch and clutch lever located forwardly of the gearset, the clutch being releasable by the depression of the lever, the shifter plates being arranged in normally laterally spread alignment whence individual plates may be pulled out to one side for making a desired gear engagement, a carrier bar slidably mounted adjacent the out-moving ends of the shifter plates to reciprocate lengthwise, forwardly and rearwardly,`transversely of their lines of movement as drawn out, means for moving the carrier bar rearward in a step-by-step measure, a plate selector arm transversely and reciprocably mounted on the carrier bar to reciprocate towards and from the shifter plates and to operatively align itself with individual plates under the said step-by-step rearward movement of the carrier bar, co-operative means on the plates and the plate selector arm for enabling the latter on its movement towards the plates to releasably engage, for operatively drawing out and returning individual shifter plates, means connecting the plate selector arm with the clutch lever for moving the former towards the shifter plate for engaging same, as the clutch engages, and for simultaneously operating the means controlling the step-by-step rearward travel of the carrier bar, and, as the clutch is disengaged, for drawing said plate out for a gear shift.

4. In a device according to claim 3, means for resetting the carrier bar forwardly for repeat action, after its rearward travel.

5. In a device of the kind described for operating a battery of shifter plates slidably mounted over and controlling the several gear shifts of the gearset of a motor vehicle having a forwardly located clutch unit including a spring set, normally engaged clutch and a lever, the clutch being disengaged by the depression of the lever, a carrier bar adjacent the out-moving ends of the shifter plates and arranged to reciprocate lengthwise forwardlyy and rearwardly across said ends, means for urging the carrier bar rearwardly, escapement mechanism imparting a step-by-step motion to the rearward travel of the carrier bar, means on the carrier bar for operating individual shifter plates of the battery, means connecting the plate operating means of the carrier bar with the clutch lever for controlling the former by the latter, and means for resetting the carrier bar forwardly after its rearward movement. i 6. In a motor vehicle having a forwardly positioned clutch, spring-set for normal engagement, a clutch lever for disengaging the clutch by its depression, a rearwardly positioned gearset including shift gears for several speeds, and a battery of slidable shifter plates normally laterally and transversely aligned over the gearset for controlling theV shift gears`l thereof, the plates being arranged to slide outwardly to one side for the purpose, al slide bar mounted in spaced relation to the out-moving ends of the ,shifter plates to reciprocate length-wise forwardly and rearwardly, connections between the slide bar and clutch lever to reciprocate same as the lever is depressed and released, means intermediate the slide bar and shifter plates for selectively and releasably engaging and drawing out to gearshift position individual shifter plates in sequence and thereafter returning the plate, and means controlled by the reciprocation of the slide bar for resetting the plate engaging and operating means for repeating its sequence of shifter plate operations.

7. In a device according to claim 6, means ndependent of the slide-bar for resetting the plate engaging and operating means for repeating its sequence of shifter plate operations.

8. In a shifting device for a motor vehicle having a forwardly located clutch and clutch lever unit including a spring to normally engage the clutch, the depression of -the clutch lever disengaging same, and including a rearwardly located gearset having a pair of parallel gear shafts extended longitudinally towards the clutch lever mechanism, with fixed gears and shift gears mounted thereon, a base plate over the gearset, spaced shifter bars slidably mounted at the under side of the base plate in parallel relation to the gear shafts, connections between the shifter bars and shift gears for operating the latter by the reciprocation of the former, elements extended from the shifter bars up through elongate slots in the base plate extended parallel with the gear shafts, fiat and elongate shifter plates equal in number to the gear shifts of the gearset, the plates having cam openings formed through their ends whereby they are transversely and reciprocably mounted over the elements extended from the shifter bars up through the base plate, said cam openings being formed at their margins to effect the required shifts through the reciprocation of the plates, a slide bar on the base plate to reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly transversely of the travel of the shifter plates, a carrier bar slidably mounted on the base plate to reciprocate in parallelism with the said slide bar, means impelling the carrier bar rearward, a plate selector arm slidably and transversely mounted on the carrier bar to reciprocate to and from the shifter plates, means on the plate selector arm co-operating with means on the shifter plate for engaging, drawing out and then retaining individual shifter plates, means for operatively aligning the plate selector arm with individual shifter plates for so engaging same, means connecting the plate selector arm with the said slide bar for reciprocating the former through the reciprocation of the latter,

means connecting the slide bar with the clutch lever mechanism for projecting the former forwardly as the clutch lever is depressed and rearwardly as the clutch reengages, and means for projecting the carrier bar forwardly for resetting same after movement rearwardly.

9. In a device of the kind described for operating a set `of laterally slidable gear controlling shifter plates as mounted over the gearset of a motor vehicle having a clutch unit located forwardly in the vehicle, a carrier rod slidably mounted laterally adjacent the plates for reciprocal movement towards and from the clutch unit, a plate selector arm transversely and slidably mounted on the carrier arm for reciprocal movement towards and from the shifter plates,

means for enabling the plate selector arm to selectively and rel'easably engage individual shifter plates for operating same for gear shifting purposes, a draw plate slidably mounted at the outer end of the plate selector arm for reciprocal movement in parallelism with the movement of the plate selector arm, means for slidably connecting the end of the plate selector arm with the draw plate whereby the former may reciprocate laterally with and transversely of the latter, means connecting the draw plate with the clutch unit for reciprocating the former through the operation of the latter, means for normally urging the carrier bar rearwardly inv a step by step manner for successively aligning the plate selector arm with individual shifter plates, and means for resetting the carrier arm forwardly after its rearward movement.

10. In a device according to claim 9the said resetting means for the carrier arm being cooperatively controlled by the movements of certain of the shifter plates and the means for reciprocating the draw plate.

11. In a shifting device for a motor vehicle shifter plates and arranged tol reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly transversely of said plates lines of movement, means for moving the said carrier bar in a step-by-step manner, said plate selector arm being transversely and recipl rocably mounted on the said carrier bar and on the succeeding rearward movement of the carrier bar being adapted to operate the said means for moving the carrier bar rearward in step-bystep manner, co-operative means on the plates and the said plate selector arm for enabling the latter on its movement towards the plates to releasably engage and operate said shifter plates individually, a slide bar supported outwardly of the carrier bar and arranged to reciprocate in.

parallelism therewith,A means connecting the slide bar andv clutch lever for projecting the former'forwardly on the depression of the lever and rearwardly on its return movement, means connecting the slide bar and plate selector arm for moving the latter towards a shifter plate for engaging same on a rearward movement of the slide bar and for drawing same out for gear shift on the forward movements, the shifter plates being reciprocably mounted over gears with means connecting the plates andthe shiftable gears for operating the latter by the reciprocation of the individual plates and means controlled by the slide bar for resetting the carrier bar forwardly after completing its rearward movement.

12. In a device according to claim 11, means I independent of the slide bar controlled means for resetting the carrier bar forwardly at any stage of the operation.

JASPER BLACKBURN. 

